The Road Not Taken... Robert Frost

This piece was created for a client of mine recently. 
He secretly contacted me and told me a story of his wife and daughter
reading this poem together.  His wife mentioned that it was one of her
Favorite poems (Mine, too). So, he asked if I could create a calligraphic
piece with illumination in time for her birthday, April 23rd, 2013.

The pictures don't do it justice, really, as it turned out even nicer than what
it shows.  I used Instacoll and 23K Patent gold for the "T", watercolors for
the vines and Ziller Black Powder Ink for the lettering.  We discussed what
he wanted and he liked the traditional qualities of Black on White so we stuck
with that adding a little color as a meandering border.

When it was all said and done, my client loved it and also emailed me
later, saying how much his wife had loved the surprise, too!  I will quote his
exact words:
Trish,

Thank you so much for all your hard work and talent.
I want to let you know that my wife, Wendy, loved! her birthday gift. 
We will both enjoy it for years to come.

I would recommend you very highly!
I'll send you a pic once we get it back from the framers.
Best,
Steve

I hold this poem near and dear to my heart because this was at the
top of the hill where I lived and grew up at my grandmothers' house
The Rockwell Homestead, in Hadley, New York, for most of my life
and it still stands on the green today! It says,
"I took the road less traveled and that made all the difference!"

..........................

As an addendum... the client sent me pictures of the piece after they framed it.
I had to alter it a little due to the flash, but here is it's final look.

Newlyweds....

Created for a newly married couple

Perfect "gift" when you cannot be there in person! 
Let me do the "impressionistic" work for you!

Poem for a loved one....

Dimensions: 22 x 30 inches

I recently was contacted by a client who saw a piece I had done about
7 years ago that I had posted here on this blog.  He wanted specific
ramifications but when it came right down to it... he mainly wanted it to be
very "organic" and raw looking with emphasis in certain places using a different
script or bolder lettering.  Ultimately, he let me take the reigns and go with it, but I
needed to convince him that I would ensure the quality he entrusted me with.
I sent him this photo, still with the lines on it to get his opinion and his exact words were:
"You have exceeded my expectations". 
When I met with him to deliver it he mentioned that
"it was even more beautiful than the picture, if that was possible."
Of course, I cleaned it up and erased the lines first.
I aim to please!

Cards and cartouches

A friend is a gift

Conference Invite and Envelopes

Never stop taking chances....

This was fun to create for a special person in my life... as per request!

Inspirational Pebbles

I have been playing around with writing on pebbles.... I am going to
sell a little bag of several words and just wanted to share...

A Collaboration of Talents.... Taryne Lewey's book

This was a book which Taryne created the pages for before a bookmaking
class which Maggie and Leslie from San Antonio taught in Austin... March 2012

I was lucky enough to sit next to and get to know Taryne by being her
table mate!  She and I got to talking about doing a collaboration of
sorts using her bookmaking skills and my calligraphy.

She showed up at a meeting with a BEAUTIFUL book which she created
for me to keep and brought this one... blank at the time, for me to fill with
some of her favorite quotes and lettering styles of my choice.
"Always know in your heart that you are far bigger than anything that can happen to you."

When I delivered it to her, completed with lettering to bring it ALIVE,
I could tell that she was quite pleased and she said she "Loved it".

It was a fun project and something so personal since Taryne gave
me certain quotes that were near and dear to her heart.
"Never save something for a special occasion.  Everyday in your life is a special occasion."

Given only minimal direction, I created, what I thought was,
a tribute to the lettering arts.

"Courage doesn't always roar, sometimes courage is the
quiet voice at the end of the day saying 'I will try again tomorrow'".
Mary Anne Radmacher

The book that Taryne made and gave to me for doing the calligraphy for her....

I lettered this on the back page in honor of our collaboration and friendship together

Latest work... Anniversary Commission

This piece is approx. 22" x 25" and was a "Promise letter"
before this couple committed to marriage.  It's very personal!
They wanted them to hang in their bedroom to remind them
of their commitment to one another... much like one would do
with wedding vows.

Paste Paper Painted background with gouache (Italic) lettering in Burnt Umber
and illuminated with 24k Gold Leaf and Instacoll sizing

It's hard to tell in the photos... but in the last two,
you can see that they were both the same hue and tones.

Here they both are...together... one on top of the other....

They will be framed identically with the same matting and frame...
and hung on either side of their beds. Can't wait to see them!

Sonnet XVII Pablo Neruda (2006)

A piece done in Spanish 2006 for a client's girlfriend...
Sometimes, a piece done with just black on white can be very striking
and exactly "what the doctor ordered".

Love, Paste Paper booklet!

Quote reads:  "Love is something if you give it away, give it away, give it away. Love is something if you give it away... you end up having more.  Love is like a magic penny, hold it tight and you won't have any... Spend it, lend it and you'll have so many.. they roll all over the floor.  Love is something if you give it away, give it away, give it away. Love is something if you give it away, you'll end up having more."  The author is Malvina Reynolds. I wanted to give credit, where credit is due.
In loving memory of Eva Markvoort... a "cyster" who passed away a few years ago who had more love than anyone!